recreational tank size survey

[socaljohn]

I have been diving with a really old Lp St 72. Strictly Recreational diving at this point (no deep, or overhead etc) I am slowing improving my consumption but have been eyeballing the LP ST 85 and 95. One fellow told me that he recommends against going larger than 80 as when you travel that is pretty much what you will be using. Another guy told me that he never heard of anyone having a problem with too much air (I like that).
Just wondering what capacity tank do you old-hands dive with recreationaly.

 

[captain]

Single or double 72's

 

[Herb-alaska]

I have been diving with a really old Lp St 72. Strictly Recreational diving at this point (no deep, or overhead etc) I am slowing improving my consumption but have been eyeballing the LP ST 85 and 95. One fellow told me that he recommends against going larger than 80 as when you travel that is pretty much what you will be using. Another guy told me that he never heard of anyone having a problem with too much air (I like that).
Just wondering what capacity tank do you old-hands dive with recreationaly.

3 lp 85
2 lp 108s
1hp 100
1 hp 119
1 hp 130
1 al hp 100 that only gets wet when I have nothing else available

The tank to use is the one that fits the dive plan. But my two go to tanks are the hp 100 for size and the hp130 for volume


When I travel I search for shops that have hp 100 to rent it takes a little work can be done

 

[redacted]

63, 80, or 100 - whichever best fits the dive plan.

 

[chrpai]

This would be better as a poll. Click all that apply.

Personally I'm diving AL80's because of price and any heavier would make me negative. ( SS BP/W wetsuit / freshwater diver)

 

[OldNSalty]

72s - warm water diving but I have used al80s and al100s for the same purpose. I sold those to go to hp100s so I will be using just the 72s or 100s depending...

I wouldn't really buy a tank based on what might be available when I travel. When I travel I will adjust to what they have available if I can't bring my tanks.

 

[scubadiver888]

I dive AL80, HP100 and HP119. Which tank I use depends on the dive plan. If I think I'll use approximately 50 cu.ft. of air, I'll use the AL80. If I need around 65 cu.ft. I'll use the HP100. If I need 80 cu.ft. I'll use the HP119. The HP119 is typically a deep, dark, cold dive with current. The AL80 is Caribbean diving.

Have a look at Does Size Matter? Tank Size, That Is. « The AquaSub Blog. Nice simple article on tank size.

 

[thirdcoastdiver]

AL 100 cu. ft. or 80 cu. ft. depending on the dive plan.

 

[elan]

I do not see the argument of buy whats available while you travel. If you have smaller tank while travelling you just cut your dive short. No need to suffer while doing local diving
I found that for me a faber Lp85 works the best. They are light, hold a lot of gas less buoyant than AL80 and tall enough.

 

[skankpile]

Don't rule out HP100 if you are considering the LP85's. The HP100 is smaller than an AL80 and holds 80cf at 3000psi so on a short fill you still got more than AL. I transfill a bunch as well so LP just does not work for me.

For single tank diving.. I love the HP100's. In my drysuit I sidemount them and its a perfect match, heavy, but trims well. Basically for OC I love the HP100's.